July 29, 2011 - PRLog -- STATE COLLEGE, PA – Sixteen tech-based start-ups located in central and northern Pennsylvania, have been approved to receive a total investment of more than $1.7 million from Ben Franklin Technology Partners/CNP. The Center’s Board of Directors also approved funding for six translational research projects (TRESP) involving clean, alternative energy and a Center of Excellence focusing on high performance building systems at Penn State University.

For nearly 30 years, the Ben Franklin program has helped entrepreneurs, emerging businesses, and small manufacturers develop new technologies, hire additional employees, and increase their sales/marketing efforts in order to grow and compete in their respective markets. For information on the program see http://www.cnp.benfranklin.org.

The companies that received Ben Franklin funding are:

Nittany Extraction Technologies – Centre County: Developed a manufacturing process that uses low-cost, widely available industrial and domestic waste materials in the production of high-quality proppants. See www.penn-prop.com

Little Pine Resources – Clearfield County: Connecting shallow-well operators with local end-users in order to utilize the existing shallow natural gas wells in the region. See www.littlepineresources.com

GreenTek Building Solutions – Clearfield County: Designs and sells “green” wall systems, insulated ceilings, flooring, and attic insulation to meet the needs of residential remodeling and new construction. See www.greentekbuildingsolutions.com

Morgan AM&T – Elk County: Investigating the development of a new spark plasma sintering technology. See www.morganamt.com

@Home FMS – Erie County: Developed a low-cost system that efficiently automates the current paper process for billing of Medicaid-approved homecare services. See www.comfortcareresources.com

Ernst Biomass – Crawford County: Developing a biomass densification facility dedicated to the production of solid biomass fuel from switchgrass. See www.ernstbiomass.com

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Ben Franklin Technology Partners/CNP, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, provides operational assistance, entrepreneurial support, and investment capital to emerging tech-based companies and small, existing manufacturers for the purpose of creating and retaining jobs in Pennsylvania. Contact the main office of Ben Franklin in University Park at (814) 863-4559, or see our website at www.cnp.benfranklin.org for a listing of satellite offices.